Feedback: Putin in his place

Putin his place

MUCH has been made of the rise of post-truth politics – the idea that while politicians are still as dishonest as ever, they no longer even pretend to stick to the facts. An exemplar of this is US presidential candidate Donald Trump, a man who doesn’t lie so much as see the truth as a bad investment.

Lately Trump has been accused of softening the Republican stance on Russia. Quizzed on Vladimir Putin’s military adventurism, Trump insisted that the Russian leader had no expansionist plans: “He’s not going into Ukraine, OK, just so you understand,” he told George Stephanopoulos at ABC News. “You can mark it down.”

Stephanopoulos was prompted to point out that Russian forces are already there, having annexed Crimea in 2014. “Well, he’s there in a certain way,” Trump admitted, before adding, inexplicably: “But I’m not there.”

“Roger Gladwell is tickled by a sign he spotted by the highway as he drove north from Southampton, UK: “CCTV cameras take your litter home”… Well, that’s a new use for them“

Top Trumps

TRUMP’S Heisenbergian take on Putin’s whereabouts encourages Feedback to cast an eye over the pompadoured presidential candidate’s forays into matters scientific and more. We feel these can only be adequately conveyed in the great orator’s own words, taken verbatim from his Twitter feed.

“I predicted the 9/11 attack on America in my book “The America We Deserve” (29 December 2011)

“Not only are wind farms disgusting looking, but even worse they are bad for people’s health” (23 April 2012)

“An ‘extremely credible source’ has called my office and told me that @BarackObama’s birth certificate is a fraud.” ( ...

Create an account

Create an account for free access to:

A selection of articles hand-picked by the editors available only to account holders

The email newsletter delivering the top things you need to know to your inbox every week

Event updates, special offers and competitions

Step 1 - Fill in your details

ALL FIELDS ARE REQUIRED

First Name

Last Name

Country

Email

PasswordYour password must be at least six characters long.

Confirm password

Once you are registered, New Scientist will send you our weekly newsletter, as well as occasional relevant information via email from New Scientist about our content, services, products, events, offers and competitions. Please read our Privacy policy.

In addition, from time to time we work with carefully selected partners to offer news, offers and information that may be relevant to you. We take your privacy seriously and will always give you the chance to opt out of specific types of email.

Step 1

Fill in your details

2

Step 2

Verify your email address

3

Step 3

Registration complete

Why join?

With a free New Scientist account you'll enjoy increased access to New Scientist content and ideas.

Every week the editors release a selection of articles to New Scientist account holders. These articles are available exclusively to logged in account holders and subscribers. The editors selection can range from new features, opinions and interviews to fascinating content from the New Scientist archive.

You'll also receive the latest news and top stories in your inbox every week with the New Scientist email newsletter.

Get more from New Scientist. To create your free account, simply complete this quick form.